+++Task Force Nicodemus+++
+++Mission Report+++
+++The Defence of Stavron Station+++
+++Objective+++
Whilst other forces of the Imperium's Crusade were to capture the primary Manufactorum on the planet of Chalice, the Dark Angels led by Nicodemus were sent to hold back an aberrant Tyranid horde moving along the flank of the invading force. The line at Stavron Station was to be held and key points along the battle field controlled to keep supply lines secure.
+++Summary: Codicer Azamader+++
| Tactical Squad Delcius and I advanced to the tip of the ridge overlooking the outpost we were to hold. Still behind the defence line the large creatures were advancing towards us, a multitude of chittering 'Gants around their feet. This force was larger than we had been led to believe. Whilst Sergeant Delcius contacted Command about the situation I led his squad in firing upon the Genestealers that I sensed already amongst the buildings. As the creatures fell back away from our point we heard a thunder clap and Nicodemus arrived with his Deathwing squad, resplendent in their bone white armour they lay waste to smaller creatures with bolter fire. Already two of our number had fallen, Brother Nico had perished as he tried to thin the vast horde with excessive plasma fire and I noted that one of Nicodemus' squad had never arrived. | 
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The largest of creatures turned towards Nicodemus as it dropped fleshy sacks from its underbelly. These burst revealing even more of the smaller Tyranids, all advancing on the Deathwing. The rest of the Xenos advanced towards the station under fire from squad Delcius. Our fire appeared to injure the Carnefixes maraud ring towards us but they kept advancing.
Nicodemus and his Deathwing charged, stormbolters blazing, into the Gants and slew a great number of them. However I sensed Brother Demian pulled down by their weight of numbers. As the Brood Mother of the Tyranids crashed into that combat, Nicodemus met her with a defiant cry and not a step of ground given to her bulk. He also informed me via suit vox units that he had called Squad Shuro into the stations defence alongside us and to prepare for their arrival via teleportarium soon.
As the two Carnifexes came crashing in towards us I sensed a strong malevolence in the fates, first came the fall of Sergeant Drethial besides Nicodemus and then came the crushing claws of the Tyranids ahead of the squad I accompanied. The next I was to know was the throbbing pain of broken bones and blood trying to heal my body. The taskforce's Apothecary was able to revive me after the battle and I learnt how the Tyranids came to pass us by and lay ruin upon the Imperial lines. Not the Dark Angels most shameful moment, but nothing to be proud of either.
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I learnt later that Sergeant Delcius and his last two squad members were able to hold up the Carnifexes, Tyranid Warrior brood and the last of the Genestealers for the scant moments needed for reinforcements to arrive. Delcius himself slew one of the great beasts with his plasma pistol and the second was laid waste to by the newly arrived squad of Deathwing Terminators. However Sergeant Shuro was eaten alive within his armour by the living rounds of the Tyranid guns, and the vile Warriors rolled over his squad. |
Nicodemus suffered a similar fate to me, crushed down by the vast Tyranid leader and left a crumpled wreck as the Hive Mind drove the creatures onwards. Study of Brother Mikel's armour pictcorder footage shows he fought over to Nicodemus' body and defended him until the end. His sacrifice likely saved our commanders life.
+++Report Terminated+++
+++Addendum+++
The wounded survivors of Task Force Nicodemus are resupplying and healing upon the Strike Cruiser Unlimited Wrath before moving on to further assist the Caradryad Crusade.
~ two hours ~ 
